Curcuma plant named ‘Curalidimp’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Curcuma plant named ‘Curalidimp’, characterized by its upright plant habit with slightly outwardly arching leaves; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely clumping growth habit; relatively broad leaves; freely flowering habit; and inflorescences with bright red purple-colored upper flower bracts positioned above the foliar plane on strong and erect peduncles.

Botanical designation: Curcuma alismatifolia.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CURALIDIMP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Curcuma plant, botanically known as Curcuma alismatifolia and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Curalidimp’.

The new Curcuma plant is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new Curcuma plants that have uniform plant habit, good container performance and attractive inflorescence coloration.

The new Curcuma is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Curalidopa’, not patented. The new Curcuma plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant within a population of plants of ‘Curalidopa’ in a controlled greenhouse environment in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands in June, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Curcuma plant by axillary bud meristem culture in a controlled environment in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands since August, 2016 has shown that the unique features of this new Curcuma plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Curcuma have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Curalidimp’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Curalidimp’ as a new and distinct Curcuma plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit with slightly outwardly arching leaves.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely clumping growth habit.     -   4. Relatively broad leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit.     -   6. Inflorescences with bright red purple-colored upper flower         bracts positioned above the foliar plane on strong and erect         peduncles.

Plants of the new Curcuma differ from plants of the mutation plant, ‘Curalidopa’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Curcuma have larger flowers than plants of         ‘Curalidopa’.     -   2. Plants of the new Curcuma have more upper flower bracts than         plants of ‘Curalidopa’.     -   3. Plants of the new Curcuma have brighter red purple-colored         upper flower bracts than plants of ‘Curalidopa’.

Plants of the new Curcuma can also be compared to plants of Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Curalimei’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,124. In side-by-side comparisons plants of the new Curcuma differ from plants of ‘Curalimei’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Curcuma are taller than plants of         ‘Curalimei’.     -   2. Plants of the new Curcuma are more freely clumping than         plants of ‘Curalimei’.     -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Curcuma are broader than leaves         of plants of ‘Curalimei’.     -   4. Plants of the new Curcuma have bright red purple-colored         upper flower bracts whereas plants of ‘Curalimei’ have dark         pink-colored upper flower bracts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Curcuma plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Curcuma plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘Curalidimp’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘Curalidimp’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the early autumn in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Curcuma production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 22° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and light levels averaged 55 kilolux. Plants were 17 weeks old when the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Curalidimp’. -   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Curcuma     alismatifolia ‘Curalidopa’, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By axillary bud meristem culture.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About ten days at temperatures about             23° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 28 to 30 days at             temperatures about 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately branching, medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright plant habit with outwardly             arching leaves; overall shape, broadly obovate; freely             clumping habit with about 15 basal shoots forming per plant;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate             growth rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 68.7             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 81.8             cm.         -   Plant diameter.—About 62 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate; simple.         -   Length, fully expanded.—About 30.7 cm.         -   Width, fully expanded.—About 6.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly lanceolate to narrowly ovate.         -   Apex.—Long apiculate.         -   Base.—Attenuate, sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire; unlobed.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Aspect.—Initially upright, then slightly outwardly arching.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; non-rugose; matte.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to between             143A and 144A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to             144A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A;             midvein, close to N186C; lateral venation, close to 137B to             137C. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to NN137D;             midvein, close to N138C; lateral venation, close to NN137B.         -   Leaf sheaths.—Length: About 26.8 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 145B;             venation, close to 144A. Color, lower surface: Close to             145B; venation, close to 144A.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 35 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm by             10 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; matte. Color, upper surface: Close to 137B. Color,             lower surface: Close to NN137C to NN137D. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Upright terminal spike inflorescences             developing directly from the basal shoots with showy upper             flower bracts; typically each spike with about eleven             clusters each with about four flowers; about 240 flowers             developing during the flowering season; flowers face mostly             upright.         -   Time to flower.—In The Netherlands, plants flower from             summer into autumn; flowering continuous during this period;             plants begin flowering about 13 weeks after planting.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about three days on the             plant; flowers persistent; plants maintain good substance             for about 40 days.         -   Fragrance.—Faint; somewhat spicy.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3.1 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm.             Shape: Oblanceolate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy. Color: Towards the base and mid-section,             close to NN155D; towards the apex, close to 85A.         -   Inflorescence length.—About 14.8 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 7.6 cm.         -   Flowers.—Length: About 3.7 cm. Diameter: About 1.8 cm by             2.2 cm. Flower throat diameter: About 6 mm. Flower tube             length: About 1.8 cm. Flower tube diameter: About 4 mm.             Shape and arrangement: Zygomorphic with three petals,             conspicuous labellum and two lateral corolla lobes             (staminodia), fused towards the base; gamosepalous calyx             with three sepals.         -   Labellum.—Length: About 2.2 cm. Width: About 1.6 cm. Shape:             Spatulate; fused at the base. Apex: Emarginate. Margins:             Entire; moderately undulate. Texture and luster, upper             surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately velvety; matte.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close             to 86A fading towards the center and base, close to N87B;             central narrow stripe, close to 17C. When opening, lower             surface: Close to 86B; towards the center and base, close to             85D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 86A fading             towards the center and base, close to N87B; central narrow             stripe, close to 17C; venation, similar to lamina colors;             color becoming closer to N79C with development. Fully             opened, lower surface: Close to 86B; towards the center and             the base, close to 85D; venation, similar to lamina colors;             color becoming closer to N79C with development.         -   Lateral corolla lobes.—Length: About 1.7 cm. Width: About             7 mm. Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Bluntly acute. Margins: Entire;             not undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,             glabrous; moderately velvety; matte. Texture and luster,             lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color:             When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to             N155A; venation, proximally, close to N155A and distally,             close to 85C; color becoming closer to N79C with             development. When opening and fully opened, lower surface:             Close to NN155C; venation, proximally, close to NN155C and             distally, close to 85D; color becoming closer to N79C with             development.         -   Petals.—Length, dorsal petal: About 1.4 cm. Length, lateral             petals: About 1.6 cm. Width, dorsal petal: About 9 mm.             Width, lateral petals: About 6 mm. Shape, dorsal petals:             Ovate. Shape, lateral petals: Narrowly oblong. Apex, dorsal             and lateral petal: Bluntly acute. Margins, dorsal and             lateral petals: Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster,             dorsal and lateral petals, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;             matte. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral petals, lower             surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color, dorsal             petals: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to NN155D; towards the apex, close to 85C to 85D; venation,             similar to lamina colors; color does not change with             development. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close             to between 85C and 85D fading towards the base to close to             NN155C; venation, similar to lamina colors; color does not             change with development. Color, lateral petals: When opening             and fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards             the apex, close to 85C to 85D; venation, similar to lamina             colors; color does not change with development. Fully             opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to between 85C and             85D fading towards the base to close to NN155C; towards the             apex, close to 84B; venation, similar to lamina colors;             color does not change with development. Color, flower             throat: Close to NN155B; venation, close to NN155B. Color,             flower tube: Close to N155B; venation, close to N155B.         -   Calyx.—Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Quantity of             sepals and arrangement: Three in a single whorl; fused at             the base. Sepal length: About 4 mm. Sepal width: About             2.5 mm. Sepal shape: Narrowly obovate. Sepal apex: Bluntly             acute. Sepal base: Broadly cuneate, fused. Sepal margin:             Entire. Sepal texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Sepal color: When             opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D.             When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to             NN155D.         -   Upper flower bracts.—Quantity: About nine upper bracts per             inflorescence. Length: About 6.6 cm. Width: About 4.4 cm.             Shape: Ovate; slightly concave. Apex: Broadly acute. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy. Color: When opening and fully opened,             upper surface: Close to N74C; towards the apex, close to             between N186C and 200B; venation, similar to lamina. When             opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to NN74B to             NN74C; towards the apex, close to 183C; venation, close to             between N186C and 200B.         -   Lower flower bracts.—Quantity: About ten lower bracts per             inflorescence. Length: About 3.3 cm. Width: About 3.6 cm.             Shape: Broadly obovate to nearly flabellate; strongly             concave. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire;             undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,             glabrous; moderately glossy. Texture and luster, lower             surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: When opening and             fully opened, upper surface: Close to 145A; distally,             strongly tinged with close to N77A; venation, similar to             lamina. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close             to 146D; towards the apex, close to 146B; venation,             proximally, similar to lamina and distally, close to N77A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 63.3 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture and luster:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to between 143B and             144A.         -   Stamens.—Quantity: Two per flower; fused. Filament length:             About 7 mm. Filament diameter: About 4 mm. Filament color:             Close to NN155D. Anther length: About 8 mm. Anther width:             About 2 mm. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther color:             Close to 156C to 156D; apex, close to 84A. Pollen amount:             Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 155C.         -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About             2.8 cm. Style length: About 2.6 cm. Style color: Close to             NN155D. Stigma diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Cupped.             Stigma color: Close to 85D. Ovary color: Close to 150D.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have             not been observed on plants of the new Curcuma. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Curcuma have     not been observed to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to     Curcuma plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Curcuma have been observed     to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 5° C. to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Curcuma plant named ‘Curalidimp’ as illustrated and described. 